Search for The Cause of High‐Speed‐Channel Revetment Failures

Abstract

High‐speed currents flowing over revetments composed of separate slabs may cause them to be uplifted and overturned. If the discharge is great enough, the water layer between the bed and the slab becomes prone to oscillate, and the oscillation is transmitted to the slab. The corresponding frequency may be easily foretold, because a simple formula relates it with the flow velocity and the length of the slab. Lifting up appears to be provoked by a sudden increase of bed pressure when the upstream edge of the vibrating slab protrudes enough to produce a strong flow separation. Suggestions for safe design are given.